Breadcrumb Trail Links

Quebec Solidaire's Manon Masse showed support to students from universities, CEGEPS and local high schools who skipped classes to participate in a march demanding action on climate change in Montreal on Friday February 22, 2019. Dave Sidaway / Montreal Gazette ORG XMIT: 62170Dave Sidaway/ Montreal Gazette

“I want to ask the co-spokesperson of QS to condemn the acts of certain activists yesterday, including a teacher activist, in climbing up Jacques Cartier Bridge,” Legault told reporters arriving for question period at the legislature.

“Manon Massé must assume her responsibilities. She is at the National Assembly. It’s her responsibility to see that the law is respected.

“And there is a question of safety here, too. It’s dangerous. We do not want a teacher who is a model to give youth the idea that it’s a good idea to climb up the structure of a bridge.

“There are other ways to show support for the fight against climate change. She (Massé) must clearly condemn this action. She is no longer a militant in the street. She is an MNA in the National Assembly, responsible for adopting laws, so she should clearly condemn this act.

“She cannot condone an illegal act, she cannot condone an act that is dangerous. I appeal to her common sense.”

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content continued

On Tuesday, three climate-change protesters from environmental activist group Extinction Rebellion Québec climbed the bridge just as rush hour was starting.

The action delayed commuters and caused massive traffic jams on Montreal’s other bridges from the South Shore.

The same group staged a demonstration downtown later in the day, leading to 41 arrests.

The activists had been lying down on René Lévesque Blvd. and were blocking traffic, said Constable Raphael Bergeron of the Montreal police. The demonstrators will be charged with obstructing a peace officer because they refused orders to move to the sidewalk, Bergeron said.

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content continued

Asked to comment, all of Quebec’s politicians condemned the actions as irresponsible, except Massé.

Conceding the stunt bothered thousands of citizens, Massé said that is nothing compared to the effects of climate change.

Legault was not the only one to blast Massé. His ministers also waded in to denounce her attitude.

“If she can’t control her membership, the least she can do is control her MNAs and what they say,” said Environment Minister Benoît Charette. “And their remarks are along the same lines as the agitators who took action yesterday morning and afternoon.”

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content continued

He described the merits of the protest as “debatable,” because they probably hurt the climate-change cause more than helped it.

“I don’t know if QS is in connivance with these activists, but above all that, condemning these acts is the thing to do,” added Transport Minister François Bonnardel. “We don’t block bridges.”

QS rapidly responded, with co-spokesperson Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois saying the only reason the premier is attacking QS is because of the government’s shoddy record when it comes to fighting climate change.

“It’s very revealing of the priorities of the Coalition Avenir Québec government,” Nadeau-Dubois told reporters. “The planet is burning, but the priority of Benoît Charette and François Legault is the attitude of QS.

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content continued

“This speaks volumes of their real interest in fighting climate change. What it shows is they are grabbing any chance they can to dodge their responsibilities.”

He defended the activists, noting they caused no vandalism and did not act violently in any way.

Asked if his attitude is good for the party, Nadeau-Dubois said QS is not your typical political organization.

“We don’t do politics to please everyone and especially not to please Benoît Charette and François Legault, who are the most climate passive in a government that is climate passive,” Nadeau-Dubois said.

Trending

Related Stories

This Week in Flyers

Article Comments

Comments

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

Notice for the Postmedia Network

This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.